Preston vs Stoke prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-03-08 15:00.
[p]A large fire with billowing smoke at an industrial estate next to Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday afternoon resulted in a postponement and a nearly 500-mile round trip wasted for play-off hunting Preston, who host Stoke City this weekend. Although disappointed not to see his players in action, manager Ryan Lowe pointed to the positive of an additional day of preparation for this clash.[/p]
[p]The fire on the south coast deprived North End of the opportunity to not only extend their unbeaten run to eight matches (W4, D3), but also make it three clean sheets in a row. Understandably, the mentality will certainly be positive at Deepdale where North End are yet to lose in 2024 (W3, D2) and begin this round of fixtures four points from the top six with a game in hand.[/p]
[p]The dizzying heights of challenging for the play-offs are a long way from Stoke City’s minds at present as they occupy a relegation spot ahead of this round and are one of eight sides within two points of each other from 16th to 23rd! However, with so many teams congested in the table, a victory at Deepdale, where the Potters have lost just once in their last five visits (W2, D2), could see them jump above many of those relegation rivals. [/p]
[p]Winning away is something Steven Schumacher’s side have not done since mid-January and they will travel up the M6 looking to avoid what would be a fifth successive defeat on the road. Sorting out their travel sickness is an urgent priority for Stoke who, after six consecutive seasons in the Championship, are in real danger of playing in the third-tier next season for the first time since the 2001/02 campaign.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Emil Riis drew a blank in Preston’s last game but he scored in each of their previous four and his side have not lost in the last 17 games that he has found the net. Since the start of February, Stoke have scored five times and midfielder Wouter Burger has contributed to two of those goals (G1, A1) resulting in victories on both occasions.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Stoke have conceded first and been behind at half-time in their last four away games.[/p]